Combatting Soaring Electricity Bills During Summer

Rising Heat, Increasing Electricity Bills

With the arrival of the summer months, residents of the United Arab Emirates are once again facing a phenomenon that burdens their wallets year after year: soaring electricity bills due to increased power consumption driven by the heat. With daily temperatures ranging from 40–50 degrees Celsius, air conditioners are practically running around the clock, while other household appliances — like washing machines, irons, or microwaves — are also used more frequently.

Air Conditioning: A Blessing or a Curse?

During the summer months, using air conditioning is indispensable. Due to the heat, cooling systems are operating continuously, not only at home but also in workplaces, shopping centers, and community spaces. However, the sharp rise in home electricity consumption is primarily attributable to this. While in the winter months, the electricity bill for an average two-bedroom apartment might have been around 300–400 dirhams, this amount can easily double or even triple in the summer.

Household Habits Also Play a Role

Residents use more electricity not just for cooling. The heat leads to more frequent laundering of clothes, more ironing, and many prefer cooking with quicker, electric appliances to generate as little heat as possible at home. These seemingly small habits can add up to significantly increase energy consumption.

Dewa, SEWA, ADDC – Different Rates, Similar Challenges

Whether someone lives in Dubai, Sharjah, or Abu Dhabi, electricity providers use varying pricing models, yet summer consumption is a sensitive issue for households everywhere. The amount of the bills depends not only on the volume of consumption but also on the rate types and apartment size.

Tips to Reduce Consumption

Experts suggest that a few conscious steps can reduce summer electricity bills:

Use energy-efficient air conditioners and household appliances.

Maintain the air conditioner temperature at a stable 24–25°C.

Only use washing machines and irons when absolutely necessary.

Insulate the windows and doors to keep out less heat.

Balance Between Comfort and Costs

Summer inevitably raises expenses; however, by consciously applying energy-saving measures, bills can be moderated. For most residents, the goal is to maintain comfort without completely straining the household budget.

(This article is based on Dewa's price increase announcement.)